Real–Time Ship Simulation Modeling Utilized as a Navigation Channel Design Tool – A Case Study

The Port of New York and New Jersey receives containerships from the Far East, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and Persian Gulf and is one of the most productive high volume port operations globally. Also, the New York and New Jersey navigation channels which serves the port of New York, is the third largest in the nation and one of the busiest channels in the East Coast. The channels are used by a wide variety of traffic including tankers, bulk carriers, car carriers, and containerships. Prior to the initiation of the harbor deepening program, channels to the harbor were inadequate to provide access to the large Post-Panamax ships, which have drafts of 48 feet or more and the pilots entering the channels aboard large ships face a wide variety of traffic passing problems. In order to analyze the traffic passing problems, evaluate the safety of the navigation channels, determine the adequacy of the channel improvements proposed in the feasibility study a real time ship simulation was utilized as the primary method of assessment to make the New York harbor accessible to length vessels up to 1048 feet into the port facilities. This article focuses on a real time maneuvering ship simulation modeling for Port Jersey Channel from its juncture with Anchorage Channel to the Port Jersey Global Marine Terminal. Navigation simulations were performed with different vessels to optimize the inner channel. Maneuvering ship simulation modeling included the validation of the existing condition which was performed by experienced pilot’s members of the Sandy Hook Bar Pilots Association to ensure that the simulation was as realistic as possible. Based on simulation results channel width, channel depth and air bridge clearance was recommended.

KEY WORDS: Real -Time Ship Simulation, Navigation Channels, Channel Improvement